Eco Driving Techniques

Eco Driving Techniques with 4front Driving School.

We pride our techniques that we have learnt and want to share that will help you save fuel and reduce the impact that you and your vehicle are having on the environment.

To Drive More Smoothly,

To drive more smoothly you should firstly assess the road as far ahead of ahead as possible to avoid unnecessary late braking. Over acceleration is the other problem which increases the amount of fuel you use so a smooth and gentle acceleration uses less power and thus requires less fuel to be consumed.

Increasing Greater Distance

Try to maintain a greater distance between you and the vehicle in front so that you can adapt your speed when necessary by coming off of the accelerator and letting the car slow down naturaly without using the brakes.

Lowering Gears Down Hill

Lowering the gears to help control the speed down a hill uses engine braking braking. Engine braking shuts off fuel consumption, as opposed to just braking or putting the car in neutral. You'll also use less fuel when pulling away in a lower gear than pulling away at low speeds in high gear. All this adds up to a safer, more economical drive on brakes that will in turn last longer.

Shift Up Early To A Higher Gear

Driving at lower revs reduces fuel consumption so change up a gear at around 2,000 Revs Per Minute.

Take Advantage Of 'Stop Start'

Many newer cars automatically turn off when stationary in neutral due to the Stop Start system built in to it. If yours doesn’t have Stop Start then turn off your engine when you’ve stopped for a minute or so to save fuel. Avoid your car idling for long periods of time as this wastes fuel and is unnecessary damage to the environment.

Slow Down When Cruising

Your fuel costs will increase the faster you cruise along. A 6 speed gear box helps keep the Revs lower when cruising at the national speed limit but if you only have 5 then it is even more important to watch your speed and revs.

Windows Or Air Conditioning

It is more fuel efficient to open the window over using air-conditioning when driving. Air conditioning can increase your fuel consumption by as much as 5%.acording to the Energy Saving Trust.

Do Tyre pressures Matter When It comes To Fuel Consumption?

Under-inflated tyres will increase your fuel consumption and can also be dangerous so checking your tyres once a month and before long journeys is very important.

Roof Racks And Boxes Cause Drag

Having Roof Racks and Roof Boxes onto of your car these attached to your car will increase drag and as a result will increase your fuel costs. So if you are not using it we advise you remove it rather than have it permanently fixed to your vehicle.

Lightening The Load

Remove any excess items from your car before travelling to reduce the overall weight. Even by having the car filled at half a tank will reduce enough weight to see difference. So you may think next time your at the pump to maybe only fill it half way.

Moving Off Safely and Smoothly

Moving off is safely, smoothly and with confidence is a key element to remember, get right and perfect. Try not to get your clutch control confused with the technique used when changing gear. It will get easier and stay put in your mind like riding a bike. Get The Car Ready To Go It’s very important that before you complete your all round observations and signal to pull away that you’re car is actually ready to go. If you don't get the car into first gear and remove the handbrake / Parking brake (keeping your right foot on the brake) then the car is not ready to go and will cause delay and the situation will inevitably change and may no longer be safe to pull out. Your preparation process: Put the key in the ignition and turn until you hear the engine start Push down on the clutch and put the car in first gear Raise the clutch to the point that the car growls, then push down a bit - about the thickness of a pound coin Take off your handbrake but use the foot brake if you don’t fe...

Forward Bay Park

How To Achieve A Perfect Forward Bay Park If you are asked to do a forward bay park as your manoeuvre during your driving test then you would be directed to a public car park (Reverse bays would take place at the test centre car park if it has one). At which point you would be asked to choose a space on the left or the right and park your car safely forwards into a bay. To do this safely and correctly - at 4front Driving School , we advise our students to keep the car positioned to the left if you are choosing a space on the right. And vice versa keep the car positioned to the right if you are choosing a space on the left. Depending on how busy the car park is will probably affect the decision you make regarding choice of space. You may also need to indicate early if the car park is busy so that you don't build up a backlog of drivers getting frustrated with you stopping. However, the more confident and competent you become with this manoeuvre, the quicker, s...

Traffic Lights

Traffic control lights There is a sequence to remember when it comes to traffic lights, but what do they mean? (please note that some crossings work differently and an amber flashing light may appear) RED means ‘Stop’. Wait behind the stop line on the carriageway RED AND AMBER also means ‘Stop’. Do not pass through or start until GREEN shows. GREEN means you may go on if the way is clear. Take special care if you intend to turn left or right and give way to pedestrians who are crossing. AMBER means ‘Stop’ at the stop line. You may go on only if the AMBER appears after you have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to pull up might cause an accident. What about amber flashing lights? Pelican crossings are signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. Push-button controls change the signals. Pelican crossings have no red-and-amber stage before green; instead, t...

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